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1959 Map of Castle Peak

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Castle Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Payne Mountain dominates the northern horizon of this Central Texas landscape where the boundaries of Mills and Lampasas County meet. The terrain is defined by a series of prominent limestone ridges and deep drainage coves, including Snipes Cove and the evocatively named Horsethief Cove. Water flows through the heart of the area via Simms Creek and its various tributaries like North Simms Creek and Bee Cave Creek, shaping a topography of high points such as Castle Peak and Onion Top.

Evidence of human habitation and land use is sparse but significant for genealogical research, centered around the Oneal Cem and the small settlement of Graves. The map records a rural infrastructure of unimproved roads and specialized landmarks like Chalk Gap and Waggoner Gap, which provided essential passage through the higher elevations. A lone industrial Quarry and a long-distance Pipeline reflect the mid-century intersection of ranching country with emerging resource extraction.